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QMI Agency

The National Hockey League's board of governors voted unanimously Wednesday to ratify the league's new collective bargaining agreement with the players.

Owners voted 30-0 in favour of the new CBA. The NHLPA's membership is still in the process of voting to ratify the deal.

"On behalf of the National Hockey League's Board of Governors, I am pleased to report that we unanimously voted to ratify a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Hockey League Players' Association," Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, the chairman of the NHL's board, said on the league website. "Which means, to our fans all around the globe, hockey is back. This great game has been gone for far too long, and for that we are truly sorry."

The league and NHLPA agreed to terms on a CBA last Sunday, ending the 113-day NHL lockout that wiped out more than half a season.

"I do have a personal statement to make," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. "To the players, who were very clear they wanted to be on the ice and not negotiating labour contracts, to our partners who support the league financially and personally, and most importantly to our fans, who love and have missed NHL hockey, I am sorry. I know that an explanation or an apology will not erase the hard feelings that have built up over the past few months, but I owe you an apology nevertheless."